Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken marinated in fragrant za'atar spice, grilled on skewers and served with cool cucumber tzatziki and warm pita bread. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes, za'atar spice blend, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp za'atar spice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare tzatziki by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup finely grated and drained cucumber, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  5. Step 5: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through with nice grill marks.
  6. Step 6: Warm 4 pita breads on the grill for 1 minute per side.
  7. Step 7: Serve chicken skewers over pita with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep za'atar spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Middle Eastern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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